Locomotive construction



June 1934- c. HARTER El AL LOCOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 2, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l0 al June 1934- c. HARTER ET AL LOCOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION 5 2 a a rr m m we o 8 V /b y MW A w F #6 5. m 3 605 Filed May 2, 1932 i atented June 26, 1934 8 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to railway rolling stock and consists in a novel locomotive underframe structure and particularly in the provision of means for bracing the cylinder saddle and the 5 adjoining underframe parts.

Locomotive main steam cylinders, valve chambers and steam passages rigid with the cylinder saddle, are all exposed to hot steam and are subject to wide variations of temperature and conl0 sequent thermal stresses. Obviously, portions of the locomotive underframe between the cylinders and spaced from these parts receive less heat than the cylinders and, accordingly, the thermal stresses set up in them are less. This results in bending and other forces being applied to the structure. Moreover, the piston thrust during operation of the locomotive exerts twisting forces upon the saddle and underframe connection.

These stresses unduly strain the underframe and frequently result in loosening of the cylinders, particularly in built up constructions, and in breakage. be withdrawn from service during repairs.

The main object of the present inventionis to provide means for resisting these stresses and distributing the same over portions of the locomotive underframe spaced from the, cylinder connections.

Another object. is to provide a. cylinder saddle 3O bracing element which is arranged. for mounting a brake cylinder.

These and other. objects are attained substantially by the structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in,which Figure 1 isa half top view of a locomotive underframe illustrating. the invention, portions being broken away for clearer disclosure.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of, Figure 1.

Figure 3- is a half vertical transverse section taken on the line 3 -3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top view of a portion of a locomotive underframe illustrating another form of the invention. Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view corresponding with Figure 4 and illustrating still another modification.

Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 99 of Figure 8.

- In Figures 1 to 3, the invention is embodied in In either case, the locomotive must a built-uplocomotive' under-frame structure ill-- eluding side frames 1 having pedestal forming portions 2. The side frames are rigidly connected by means of a front deck member 21 and a cylinder saddle structure including main steam cylinders 3, valve chambers 4, boiler support 5 and steam passages 6 extending inwardly from the valve chambers through the saddle and merging in exhaust nozzle 7'. The lower portion of the saddle between the cylinders 3 is provided with bolting flanges 8 for attachment to the side frames 1. The cylinder saddle may be formed integral, as shown, or of two or more assembled parts.

Extending between the underframes rearwardly of the cylinder saddle isa saddle bracing and brake cylinder support structure including a transverse portion 9' constitutinga cross tie'between the side frames and having pads 10 for mounting brake cylinders 11. Depending flanges 12' at. the ends of portion 9 are provided for attachment to the inner surfaces of 'side frames 1 by means of bolts 13. Ribs 14 and 15" located beneath portion 9 reinforce the member. An arm 16 extends forwardly and upwardly substantially in alinement with each flange 12 and each arm is bolted to a lug l'l'projecting from the rear wall of the saddle. The bracing structure preferably comprises a one-piece rigid'unit.

Theunderframe and saddle are braced at the front ofthe cylinders by a pair of diagonal members 19 which are bolted to lugs 20 projecting from the front wall of the saddle and are secured to the front portions of the side frames adjacent the front deck structure. The lower ends of braces 19 are recessed, as at 22, to accommodate transverse rib 23. These braces may be otherwise shapedto conform with the contour of the front deck structure. Suitable attaching means such as rivets or welding may be substitutedfor the bolts utilizedin attaching the forwardbraces 19 as wellas the rear bracing structure.

In Figures 4, 5, and 6, the brake cylinders 24 are mounted upon a cross tie member 25 having depending end portions 2511 each secured to an upward projection 26 on the side frame 27 by means of bolts 28. Plates 29 are attached to the outer sides of portions 25a by means of bolts 28 and each plate extends forwardly and is secured to the rear wall of the saddle 30 by means of an angle 31 and bolts 32. In this form the brake cylinders are shown attached to the under side of the cross tie member.

Angular braces 33 extend across the corners between the front wall of the saddle and the forward portions of the side frames. Each brace is secured to the saddle by means of an angle 34 and is bolted to the outer surface of the side frame.

In Figures 7 to 9, the cross tie member rearwardly of the cylinder saddle is eliminated and the brake cylinder 35 is secured to the inner surface of an upward projection 36 on the side frame 37. Secured to the outside of the projection 36 by means of bolts 44 is a bracing member 38 which includes a flanged forward end portion 39 abutting the rear wall of the cylinder saddle and secured thereto by bolts 40. Bolts 44 extend through the member 38, side frame projection 36, and the brake cylinder bolting lugs. The member 38 is of more rigid construction than the corresponding parts of the other forms, being reinforced by ribs 41, 42 and 43.

In each of the forms, means is disclosed for adequately bracing the structure both forwardly and rearwardly of the cylinder saddle against differential thermal stresses as well as twisting forces due to the piston thrust. Moreover, the braces rearwardly of the saddle are also utilized in mounting the brake cylinders, thus decreasing the number of bolted connections necessary and strengthening the structure.

The invention may be advantageously embodied in an integral locomotive bed structure which includes the side frames as well as the cylinder saddle, and some or all of the braces illustrated may be formed integral with other parts, if desired.

Obviously, the details of the invention may be otherwise modified without departing from the spirit thereof and exclusive use of all such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a locomotive underframe, spaced side frames, a cylinder saddle extending between the same, and an integral structure secured to adjacent portions of said frames and said saddle and bracing the same, said structure including elements for mounting a brake cylinder.

2. In a locomotive underframe, spaced side frames, a cylinder saddle extending between the same, and an integral bracing structure including portions secured to adjacent elements on said side frames and said saddle, and an intermediate transverse portion serving as an underframe cross tie, said transverse portion including elements for mounting a brake cylinder.

3. In a locomotive underframe structure, side frames, a cylinder saddle connecting the same, and means resisting bending and twisting stresses in the structure comprising a member secured to said frames rearwardly of said saddle and including brake cylinder mounting elements and forwardly and upwardly disposed portions bracing said saddle, and other bracing members extending across the corners between said saddle and the portions of said side frames in front thereof.

4. In a locomotive underframe, a cylinder saddle part, a side frame member having an upward projection rearwardly of said part provided with brake cylinder mounting elements, and a brace extending between said projection and a point on said saddle above said side frame member.

5. In a locomotive underframe, spaced side frames, 2. cylinder saddle extending between the same, and structure secured to and extending between the inner faces of said frames, said Stl'llCtlllE including elements secured to said saddle and bracing the side frames and saddle.

6. In a locomotive underframe, a side framing member, a cylinder saddle traversing said member and including a transverse vertical web, a bolting surface on said web extending in a plane parallel to said web, and an element extending between said member and said saddle and bracing said member and said saddle, said element including a bolting flange for engaging said bolting surface and for securing said element to said saddle so as to form a substantially rigid connection between said element and said saddle.

'7. In a locomotive underframe structure, spaced side frames, a cylinder saddle including front and rear walls connecting said frames, and means resisting bending and twisting stresses in the structure comprising an integral structure forming an underframe crosstie between said frames and including portions secured to adjacent elements on one of said walls for bracing said saddle, and other bracing members extending across the corners between the other of said Walls and said frames.

8. In a locomotive underframe structure, side frames, a cylinder saddle connecting the same, and means resisting bending and twisting stresses in the structure comprising a member secured to said frames rearwardly of said saddle and including forwardly and upwardly disposed portions bracing said saddle, and other bracing members extending across the corners between said saddle and the portions of said side frames in front thereof.

9. A bracing yoke for application to the spaced side frames and cylinder saddle of a locomotive, and comprising a crossbar and legs and including elements on the respective ends of said legs for attachment to the frames and saddle, and an element on the crossbar for mounting a brake cylinder.

10. In a locomotive underframe, side frames, a cylinder saddle traversing the same, and a rigid bracing member with a part extending between the frames at points spaced from said saddle and arranged for supporting a brake cylinder and a part extending from said first-mentioned part to said saddle.

CHARLES I-IARTER. OTIS A. GARBER. 

